Review - The Dead Cry Justice

 Heiress-turned-sleuth Prudence MacKenzie and ex-Pinkerton Geoffrey Hunter step out of the elite society of Gilded Age New York as they venture into the city’s crime ridden streets and most dangerous neighborhoods to search for two missing children . . .

This won't be available until Nov 30th

Author: Rosemary Simpson

Copyright: Nov 2021 (Kensington Books) 360 pgs

Series: 6th in Gilded Age Mystery series

Sensuality: harsh realities of brothels discussed and how children are trafficked in sex trade

Mystery Sub-genre: historical mystery, historical private inquiry

Main Characters: Prudence MacKenzie, judge's daughter and heiress-turned-sleuth

Setting: 1890's New York city

Obtained Through: Netgalley

Book Blurb: "May 1890: As NYU Law School finally agrees to admit female law students, Judge MacKenzie’s daughter Prudence weighs her choices carefully. Chief among her concerns is how her decision would affect the Hunter and MacKenzie Investigative Law agency and her professional and personal relationship with the partner who is currently recuperating from a near fatal shooting.

 But an even more pressing issue presents itself in the form of a street urchin, whose act of petty theft inadvertently leads Prudence to a badly beaten girl he is protecting. Fearing for the girl’s life, Prudence rushes her to the Friends Refuge for the Sick Poor, run by the compassionate Charity Sloan. When the boy and girl slip out of their care and run away, Prudence suspects they are fleeing a dangerous predator and is desperate to find them.

 Aided by the photographer and social reformer Jacob Riis and the famous journalist Nellie Bly, Prudence and Geoffrey scour the tenements and brothels of Five Points. Their only clue is a mysterious doll with an odd resemblance to the missing girl. But as the destitute orphans they encounter whisper the nickname of the killer who stalks them—Il diavolo—Prudence and Geoffrey must race against time to find the missing children before their merciless enemies do . . ."

Prudence MacKenzie isn't your typical rich girl. She is wicked smart and determined to be a good investigator. She has to face the realities of sex trafficking of girls in this story.  Geoffrey Hunter, her partner in the investigative agency, is an ex-Pinkerton.  He is very protective of Prudence and clearly cares deeply for her.  Josiah Gregory is their assistant who is a little bit of a mystery himself.  I like this character and want to see more of him.  Charity Sloan is a female Quaker doctor running a clinic who plays a significant part during the investigation.  Detective Warren Lowry is searching for his sister who was abducted from the family home and could be caught up in the same situation.  Danny Dennis is a hansome cab driver who aids Prudence and Geoffrey along with his dog, Blossom and horse, Mr. Washington.  He is a great character.

New York during the Gilded Age was brutal for everyone but the mega-rich.  This novel brings the class disparity into sharp relief and the fact that child sex trafficking has been with us right here in the States for a while.

The plot starts simple and gets more complicated as the reader learns more.  Two young boys that look a lot like the Prudence's sandwich thief are murdered and it's clear the kids are being hunted.  I was drawn in and became invested in the two children fast which kept me reading. 

 The killer confrontation is hair raising and puts both Prudence and Geoffrey in danger.  The wrap-up paves the way for some changes for Prudence.  

I haven't read any of the prior books in this series, this was my first foray and I didn't feel lost at all.  The subject matter is weighty and serious, similar to the Sebastian St. Cyr series.  Other than a more clinical description here and there, there are no graphic depictions. Jacob Riis was a social reformer photographer and journalist Nellie Bly are actual historical figures which brings depth to the investigation.  This was well written, the characters well developed, the investigation doled out clues for the reader at a good pace.  I recommend.  I may go back to the beginning to see how Prudence and Geoffrey's relationship started.

Rating:  Near Perfect - Buy two copies: one for you and one for a friend.